High spirits are guaranteed at The Fifth Annual "The Americas-In Concert," as more than 60 of Pittsburgh's most boisterous young musicians from Pittsburgh's neighborhoods take the stage together with world-class musicians in an eclectic program combining classical music with contemporary Bossa Nova, Jazz, Tango and cello rock music. Distinguished violinist, Pablo Ardiles, will lead The Pittsburgh Youth Chamber Orchestra ("PYCO") in a highly moving repertoire of intercultural encounters, as they play on stage with Pittsburgh's leading performers, Brazilian Soprano, Lilly Abreu, guitar soloist, Leon Salcedo, Pittsburgh's traditional Argentinean-style tango quartet, AquiTango, and three classically trained cellists and a rock drummer that make up the one and only Cello Fury. Presenting the annual event for a fifth consecutive year are "The Americas-In Concert" founders and sponsors Med Health Services and the Pittsburgh Cardiovascular Institute in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Center for Latin American Studies and Shady Side Academy. The event is free to the public. Mr. Ardiles, of McCandless, is cofounder and music director of the Pittsburgh Youth Chamber Orchestra, created six years ago and featuring Pittsburgh's up and coming young musicians. Mr. Ardiles started the orchestra as a volunteer and has been its leading director since 2006. He started the program to give young musicians a chance to learn in the chamber music tradition of smaller groups playing classical selections, at times with no conductor. Many local school districts do not offer such an opportunity, he said. Participants include some of his private students and other students who were recommended by their music teachers. Originally from Argentina, Mr. Ardiles earned his bachelor's degree in chamber music from the University of La Plata in Buenos Aires and his master's in music in violin performance from Carnegie Mellon University. He earns his living as a musician and private music teacher, but the Pittsburgh Youth Chamber Orchestra is truly a labor of love. "I love doing this," he said. "The reward is the music itself." "The Americas-In Concert" is an annual concert designed to promote the development of local and national professional musicians, while exposing Pittsburgh's general public to the musical works of all of the America's, from North to South. Past concerts have featured performances by Lilly Abreu, Brazilian soprano, who lives in Pittsburgh (2008), the Octavio Brunetti Quintet (2009 and 2011), located in New York City, and the Eric Mintel Quartet jazz ensemble, based in Philadelphia (2010). ● 7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 1 ● The Hillman Center for Performing Arts, Richard Rauh Theater, Shady Side Academy Senior School 423 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238 ● Free to the public. ● Information: 412-457-0518 ● Ticket Reservations: americasinconcert@mhs-pci.com (tickets are assigned on a first come, first serve basis